Kat Walks 🍃

Episode Summary In this episode of Kat Walks, I’m walking you through one of the hardest and most humbling experiences of my adult life—how I went from a credit score in the low 500s to 795.

This is Part 1 of my credit story. I share how I ended up with bad credit, what it cost me, and the exact step-by-step process I used to start rebuilding. From the Capital One card I opened at 18, to the $5,000 personal loan I took out for a now long-gone ex, to the shame, dependency, and fear I carried for nearly a de...

Episode Summary In this walk, I’m not just reflecting—I’m revealing. I’m talking about immigration, legality, family, values, and why I’ve made decisions in the past that could be seen as reckless or even career-ending. I’ve approved the hiring of undocumented workers. I’ve opened accounts for them. And I’m telling you this openly, not to be praised, but to be honest.

Because what defines me isn’t my business or career. It’s how I live in alignment with my values—even when it’s inconvenient, risky, or unpopular.

If you’ve never sat ac...

Episode Summary: In this episode, I unpack what’s really been on my mind lately: the way we approach quarterly goals—and how they might actually be holding us back.

As Q3 planning kicks off for a lot of leadership teams, I reflect on a recent conversation with a Head of Marketing client and the realization that sparked from it. We talk about the difference between KPI-driven and project-based goals, how I used to use quarterly goals to feel productive, and what changed when I finally asked myself: If this is truly important, why am I not work...

Episode Summary In this episode of Kat Walks, I'm taking you along for a walk that's about more than fresh air. It's about how we respond to conflict, and more importantly, how we reclaim our energy in the face of someone else’s chaos.

My daughter recently asked me a powerful question about arguments and what we wish we had said in the moment. That conversation led us down a path of self-awareness, boundaries, and emotional regulation. I share how I evolved from someone who always had to have the last word, to someone who now filters ev...

HR Sucks is gone. Dunzo. Finito.

I talk about the pressure of content creation, why I took a step back from social media, and how I rediscovered my voice through a voice memo and a walk. I also dive into the Thought Leader Archetype quiz that helped me make sense of why nothing I was trying before felt quite right. If you're a business owner, a people manager, a mom—or all three—I think you’ll feel seen in this story.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

In this episode of The HR Sucks Show, Katrina sits down with Kevin Koby and Jack Peat, the Co-Founders behind Abstrax Tech, to unpack the unfiltered journey of building a cannabis science company from the ground up.

From Jack's rebellious school days (read: expulsions) to doubling EBITDA through culture—not just spreadsheets—this episode is packed with real talk, hard lessons, and a surprising amount of laughter.

We get vulnerable about leadership blind spots, dig into the stigma surrounding cannabis, and even ask: If Abstrax were a cannabis strain, what would it be?

Whet...

In this fun and unfiltered episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow HR rebel, Kira La Forgia, founder of Paradigm HR. When we get together, you can count on some friendly roasting and a whole lot of laughter — and yes, we somehow always find a way to make HR a little dirty.

We dive into topics that every HR pro (and anyone who’s ever worked in corporate) will relate to, including:

Pay Your Speakers: Why conferences need to prioritize paying their speakers — and why Kira and I often skip HR conferences altogether.

P...

I read Buy Back Your Time with ‪@danmartell‬ and hired an assistant because he told me to.

Yup, I'm THAT guy (girl) who read a business book and listened to it. It happens to the best (most stubborn) of us.

Her name is Gabriella, aka Gabi, and I interviewed her as well as share my internal hiring process that not only works for me, but for dozens of companies I've worked with over the years (supposedly).

ChatGPT wrote the rest of this:

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

How to know when it’s...

In this engaging episode of the HR Sucks Podcast, host Katrina Ghazarian sits down with HR veteran and consultant Carol Fraser. With over 33 years in the field, Carol shares her insights on the major shifts and transformations in HR from traditional personnel management to strategic business partnerships. The conversation covers the impact of technology, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the evolving role of HR in company culture and business success. Carol also delves into her personal journey, transitioning from traditional HR roles to consulting post-9/11, and introduces her innovative 'Dancing Leaders' program, which combines dance with leadership...

In this episode of HR Sucks, we delve into the importance of understanding and living by your core and personal values. Sharing personal experiences from reading Tony Robbins' 'Awakening the Giant Within' and implementing Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), we explore how aligning personal and business values builds stronger relationships and more cohesive teams. You'll be guided through the step-by-step process of identifying, defining, and living your values, complete with practical actions for continuous self-evaluation.

In this episode of HR Sucks, we delve into the hot topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and critically analyze Elon Musk's controversial stance on the matter. We'll discuss how properly implemented DEI programs contribute to business profitability, citing Tesla's recent financial decline as a case study. The episode also unpacks the ripple effects of influential leaders dismissing DEI, addresses misconceptions about meritocracy, and provides actionable steps for companies to execute DEI effectively.

Thinking about making the leap from HR employee to independent consultant? In this episode of HR Sucks, I break down exactly how I transitioned from a full-time HR leader to launching my own consulting firm, Gameday HR. I share the three key moves I made in the 30 days after resigning that set me up for long-term success, including how I turned my former employer into my first client.

If you’re stuck overthinking your next steps, this episode will give you a clear, no-BS roadmap to making the transition on your terms. Whether you’re worried about burn...

Welcome to HR Sucks! In this episode, we dive deep into what company culture really means—beyond the superficial perks and slogans.

We break down the six crucial questions every organization must ask to diagnose cultural health, identify misalignments, and create a workplace where employees thrive.

You’ll also learn how to differentiate genuine culture from a well-rehearsed performance and get insights from the book Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard, paired with real HR consulting experience.

Get ready for a game-changing discussion on how real company culture impacts retention, productivity, and business succ...

We are wrapping Season 1 with a powerful message and guest, Adam Michaels who is Founder and CEO of the PaaS company Enrollify. Leaving a 7 figures earning behind to start and self-fund a startup aimed to solve a huge disparity in the employee benefits market, Adam learned incredible and teachable lessons along the way. A person who believes in leading with love and building businesses that truly benefits people has been the foundation to Enrollify’s young success. Listen to this story of self discovery and evolution from one of our favorites.

Learn more about Enrollify: https://enrollify.io...

Brad Lea built LightSpeed VT into a multi-million dollar global tech company from scratch. As its founder and CEO, his vision led to LightSpeed VT becoming the world’s leading interactive training system – a system that he’s proud to share with others. In addition to being a CEO, Brad also hosts the top-rated podcast Dropping Bombs and is the author of The Real Deal. He’s one of the funniest guys I know and it’s apparent in this episode as we discuss the things you’re probably not allowed to discuss.

Follow Brad on Instagram: https://www...

She’s a TEDx speaker, accomplished author, and runs a company focused on shifting company culture by motivating the individual. Nada Lena Nasserdeen joins us for a conversation to tell us her story and what to do when you’re not motivated.

Connect with Nada on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadalena_rise/

Purchase Rise Up For You: https://www.nadalena.com/book

If you’d like to learn more about Gameday HR, visit www.gamedayhr.com

If you’d like to connect with Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Stephanie Saunders knows how to turn an unsexy industry into an industry that made Forbes Top Social Media Influencers of 2020 list. With over 28,000 followers on LinkedIn, Stephanie made the conversation about property damage interesting. As host of the podcast show, S2 Show, CEO of S2 Marketing, and Founder of the Suskind Foundation - Stephanie is ready for more. Listen in to hear her story and strategies to becoming an influencer she can be of.

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucs-stephaniesaunders/

Listen to her podcast: https://thes2show.com/

...

She has a successful private practice in Beverly Hills, a fast growing eCommerce business, a hit show on Netflix, a popular conference, and she wants to slow it all down. Dr. Sheila Nazarian had a record year in 2020, but she is committed to taking breaks to regroup and fill her bucket. Did we mention she’s also a wife, mom, activist, and philanthropist? Dive into this episode and listen in on how she does it all.

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsheilanazarian/

To learn more: https://nazarianplasticsurgery.com/

eCommerce site: ht...

Born a statistic, now succeeding at life and business. Josh Levin is the founder of Empowered Electric, an INC Top 500 company, and The Empowered People, a good(ish) podcast and personal coaching focused on not letting your past dictate your future. Whether it is about overcoming lies, fears, doubts or statistical odds, Josh has done it and it is his aim to be an Example not an influencer. In this episode we talk about growing a team, Lebron James, and his disdain for tacos.

Learn more about Empowered KC: https://empoweredkc.com/

Empowered People Podcast...

So you built a $1 billion company, what do you do next? You start a podcast.

On this episode we chat with the high [clean] energy CEO, Jayson Waller and dive into building a 1700 employee organization, hard lessons, and getting out of your head to perform to win.

Listen to Jayson’s podcast: https://trueunderdog.com/

Follow Jayson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysonwallerbam/

Learn more about POWERHOME Solar: https://www.powerhome.com/

If you’d like to learn more about Gameday HR, visit www.gamedayhr.com

If y...

From an auctioneer on cruise ships to launching a 6-figure live event, Tara Oldridge has DONE IT ALL. As the Founder of the Vision to Business Live event, Host of the Business Insider and Entrepreneur Magazine featured podcast, The Smart Woman Show Podcast, and mentor to women around the world - Tara is focused on doing what she was called to do. In this episode we are learning how Tara found her passion, mistakes she’s made in business, and how she continues to persevere.

To attend Vision to Business: https://taraoldridge.lpages.co/vision-to-business/

Fo...

We’ve brought the Pastor of Disaster, The Impaler, Vaughn Jeremy, the man of many nicknames - Vaughn Kohler to the show. Best known as the Co-Host of the MFCEO and REAL AF podcasts with Andy Frisella, he is about to release his new book: Sacred Drive, Biblical Principles for Pursuing your God Given Potential. We get to go to church for a bit as I also likened Andy and Sal as gorillas while Vaughn the emu.

Subscribe to Vaughn’s Sunday Newsletter: https://vaughnkohler.com/

Connect with Vaughn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v...

It was not intentionally done for us to start the year 2021 with episode 21, but I mean - the Universe is just speaking to me these days as it has been with author and The New Yorker cartoonist, Marisa Acocella. DIAL IN on this one, because it is packed full of inspiration, thought provoking questions, love, and how all of this can help organizations world-wide.

Follow Marisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisaacocella/

If you’d like to learn more about Gameday HR, visit www.gamedayhr.com

If you’d like to connect with...

There are many conversations happening around the importance of an inclusive workplace, but there isn’t a lot out there about the tools needed to make this happen.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Shooshani the Co-Founder of JOON - an employee benefits platform aiming to reshape the landscape of employee care and transform the health of people everywhere.

Find out the strategies this company used to develop partnerships with some of the fastest-growing and well known brands in today’s market.

To learn more about this amazing platform, visit http://joon...

On this episode I sit down with a man on a mission to empower 1 billion people, David Meltzer. After starting and scaling a multi-million dollar sports marketing agency, David focuses his time on writing books, speaking as a keynote, and weekly live training hoping to empower as many people as he can.

Listen to this episode to find out some of the biggest mistakes today’s entrepreneurs are making and how to overcome them.

Follow David on Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer

Purchase his books: http://www.dmeltzer.com

If you’d li...

Social media has helped increase quantitative communication, but has exponentially decreased the quality of communication. Companies will have a much harder task communicating effectively with employees during this remote work period. Don’t get caught in conflict avoidance - you’ll pay a much higher price.

If you’d like to learn more about Gameday HR, visit www.gamedayhr.com

If you’d like to connect with Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

I forgot to hit record until about halfway through, so I royally screwed this episode up. But, Caroline Connolly the CEO of OptoTest - a world-leading fiber optics company is just so awesome I had to share at least a part of her genius with all of you.

If you’d like to learn more about OptoTest, visit www.optotest.com

If you’d like to connect with Caroline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-connolly-a6a2732/

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Inst...

Rick Aulenbach of RPA Engineering, a fast-growing engineering & consulting firm, joins our show to talk hoops, hiring, and what allows his firm to compete for big bids against much larger and established firms. He also says I have a lazy eye like my shih-tzu.

If you’d like to learn more about RPA Engineering, visit www.rpaengr.com

If you’d like to connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r3aulenbach/

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com...

Skyline Brands made the INC 500 list this year, but getting there was no easy feat - especially when you’re $2mm in debt. I talk to Zain Subhani about the experience of making the list and I’m pretty sure he called employees buttholes. Or was that me? Tune in to find out!

If you’d like to learn more about Skyline Brands and Aria Air Fryers, visit www.ariaairfryers.com.

Follow Zain on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ceozainsubhani

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Ins...

Hire Clout was named LA Business Journal's #8 Best Places to Work in 2020 and we talk about how CEO & Founder Avetis Antaplyan built a culture with an almost perfect rating on GlassDoor. I'll tell you this, he asks some weird questions during the interview. Listen in to find out if I would've been hired or not!

If you'd like to learn more about Hire Clout, visit them at www.hireclout.com for more information about open positions.

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com...

Katrina chats with NBA Champion & WNBA Coaching Champion Michael Cooper about what it takes to lead a winning team and the cost of missing a flight.

If you'd like to stay up to date on Coop activities, follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/showtimecooper21

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

Katrina speaks to Brandon Fishman, CEO of vitamin and superfood infused coffee company VitaCup. They discuss the importance of a flexible working culture as well as what to do when a candidate spits on the table after an interview.

If you'd like to try VitaCup's amazing products visit www.vitacup.com and follow their Instagram account: www.instagram.com/drinkvitacup

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact...

It is no secret that California is the toughest and most expensive state to run a business. There's so much buzz around a flexible working culture driven by results and yet California employers are boxed in by strict Wage & Hour laws. We discuss why employers are leaving California and why Omar always cuts me off when it's my turn.

Follow Omar on Instagram: www.instagram.com/omarsayyed

Learn more about Omar's business: www.ties.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram...

Former Los Angeles Laker and NBA Champion Metta World Peace joins us to discuss philosophies he’s learned on the court from Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson to taking them off to court in new business ventures.

Follow Metta World Peace on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mettaworldpeace37

Learn more about his new venture: www.xvsxsports.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a...

Keith Sampson, Founder of INC 5000 company SRP Environmental talks to us about the thing he attributes to his company's success.

To learn more about SRP Environmental visit www.srpenvironmental.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

Katrina and Omar are back to discuss CEOs who waived their salaries to avoid layoffs and Katrina's weekend of trolling fake gurus.

Follow Omar on Instagram: www.instagram.com/omarsayyed

Learn more about Omar's business: www.ties.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

Kyle Cox, Founder of trendy shoe brand TCG Footwear and sports media company Ballerzworld talks to us about the time he was catfished by an employee.

Follow BallerzWorld on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ballerzworld

Check out TCG Footwear's amazing shoes: www.tcglosangeles.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

Listen to the story of how a woman overcame the disadvantages she was born into to become one of the most successful female entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Proving that no matter what your circumstances, you can achieve your dreams.

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

People assume that it's a time to chill and take advantage of working from home, but they're wrong. Here are things that employees SHOULD be doing to secure their job.

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.

Katrina and Omar Sayyed, CEO of Ties.com discuss the business impact of COVID-19. Including the increase in sponsored ads for wannabe entrepreneurs, out of touch companies, and strategic layoffs.

Follow Omar on Instagram: www.instagram.com/omarsayyed

Learn more about Omar's business: www.ties.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hrsucks

Follow our host Katrina on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katghazarian

Learn more about our HR services & solutions by visiting www.eva8.com/contact and schedule a free consultation.